GORHAM, ME — TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds SensiblySM), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, has begun unveiling its top “royalty” for 2023. TOPS® royalty are women and men who have officially recorded the largest weight loss from their starting weight at the end of the year, regardless of the time taken to reach their goal. Maria Spofford of Gorham, who lost 139.6 pounds, is the 2023 Maine Queen. She was honored on April 13 at the Maine recognition event at the Augusta Civic Center.

TOPS provides an individual approach to weight loss and overall wellness. Consistent group support, health education, and recognition are all key components to successful weight management. Maine has an adult obesity rate of 33.1%, and in 2023, TOPS members in Maine lost a cumulative 5,057 pounds.

“All of us in TOPS are immensely proud of our members’ weight-loss achievements,” said TOPS President Rick Danforth, who maintained a 100-pound weight loss for 15 years. “Through their TOPS membership, these individuals can honor their life-altering successes, other members, and those who have preceded them. By maintaining their allegiance to lifestyle modifications, a hallmark of TOPS’ winning formula, TOPS members apply the tools they’re provided and the backing of their peers to attain their weight loss goals.”

Weekly meetings are the heart of TOPS support, whether they are held in person or online. In-person meetings start with an optional weigh-in, with members then sharing challenges, successes, or goals, followed by a brief program covering a variety of health and wellness topics, and may conclude with awards and recognition for the week. Visitors can attend their first TOPS in-person meeting free of charge and are encouraged to try more than one chapter since they’re all a little different.

For online membership, meetings are conducted via Zoom and are offered at least five times during the week. The meeting starts with members disclosing challenges, successes, or goals. Next, the online facilitator presents a prepared program and sometimes includes guest speakers who share their expert views on fitness, nutrition, and more. Meetings conclude with action steps related to the program presented.

Membership is affordable, starting at $49 per year in the U.S. and $59 annually in Canada, plus nominal chapter fees. Join TOPS, visit www.tops.org, or call 800-932-8677 to learn more about TOPS and to find a local chapter.

Maria Spofford of Gorham, in her ‘before’ photograph.

Spofford, after having lost 139.6 pounds, was named the 2023 Maine Queen.